Get that Mad Men look, with ease!

Get that Mad Men look, with ease!

Here at VV we're big fans of fashion fabulous TV show Mad Men and lucky for us, 50s and 60s fashion is huge right now. With designers showcasing the 60s on the catwalk and Mad Men's own Janie Bryant teaming up with Banana Republic to make a Mad Men collection, we thought we'd let you in on a few styling tips to get you looking just like your favourite on screen character.

The Joan Look

The show is set in the late 1950s and the latest series ended in the mid 60s, so you can imagine the amazing eras of style it spans if you're not already a fan! Think fitted, figure flattering shapes, shifts, and sheaths and go from there. We love how Joan Holloway emphasises her curves in her jewel toned sheaths, here's our tips for emulating the famous Joan look.

Joan working a jewel toned shift in Mad Men

Joan's block colour pieces are great for a mix and match base and she always accessorises with brooches and pendants. Alternatively, if you prefer prints go geometric or floral with your sheath for a typical of-the-time look. 1950s and 60s textile patterns were abstract and eye catching, and this dress from our collection should give you an idea of the perfect shape and pattern you should look out for. Winter is well and truly on its way, so team your Joan shift with a 60s swing coat and black opaques to stay snug but stylish.

Jewel-toned, geometric print shift, £85, Victory Vintage

Jean Paul Gaultier has gone all 60s this autumn/winter and this gorgeous Joan-esque dress from his catwalk collection, complete with an amazing beehive, is on our must-have list.

Jean Paul Gaultier's autumn/winter catwalk is so Joan!

Speaking of snug but stylish, there's never been a better reason to get your hands on a super chic jumper dress. Add a belt to accentuate your waist and if you're afraid of feeling more frumpy than fabulous, team it with heels for an injection of office glam. Our gorgeous green jumper is so Joan, and we can imagine her adding a bold brooch like ours for extra interest.

1960s green knit dress, £70, Victory Vintage

The Betty Look

Betty Draper in a pleated circle skirt, a big 50/60s trend

Circle skirts were a huge 1950s trend and were worn with cutesy cardigans and heels for a really feminine look. No one is more feminine and doll-like than Mad Men's Betty Draper, whose outfits are always girly and ice cream coloured. We love this gorgeous printed skirt from our collection, it's impossible not to swish in a skirt this stunning and trust us, all eyes will be on you in a circle skirt. For a more modern twist, team yours with a vest or cropped shirt instead of our more prim option and tie at the waist. If you're a die-hard Betty fan, prim is the way to go for this look, don't forget oodles of pearls and signature curls.

Cream blouse, £35 and circle skirt £135, Victory Vintage

For the ultimate Betty look, it's all about a fitted and feminine dress, so find a frock that balances shape and style. Pretty patterns and pastel colours are the key features to look out for when choosing a 'Betty' dress. Take notes from this ultra girly dress from our collection that combines a figure flattering fit with feminine polka dots, a bow and the girliest hue ever- pink! Think prim, yet fun when searching for yours and add pearls as standard.

Polka dot wiggle dress, £90, Victory Vintage

This dress from the Mad Men collection at Banana Republic is a more flouncy frock with a fuller skirt, but the feminine style is perfect for the prim Betty look.

This Mad Men for Banana Republic dress is really Betty.

Add the finishing touch

Betty's earrings are always big and bold, so find the perfect vintage pair or you.

If you love Betty, but think the look is too fussy for you, invest in a great pair of Betty-esque earrings as a compromise. Even if the rest of your outfit is simple, a pair of glam studs will perk it up for an evening of cocktails. For ultimate prim power opt for earrings with large pearls, don't forget gold is always a classic too. Take your style notes from these amazing pearl studs from our collection.

Evening studs like this add glamour to laid back outfits, these are £12 from our collection.

Scarves are the perfect way to make any ensemble instantly vintage looking. Give a modern outfit a vintage Mad Men twist with a scarf tied at the neck which is very Sterling Cooper secretary chic. You can even incorporate a smart scarf into an updo just like VV girl Zoe.

VV girl Zoe models a Victory Vintage scarf

Look out for scarf baskets in a vintage shop like ours, and root for hues and patterns that will compliment your clothes. Choose a shade from a pattern you're wearing for a matching scarf or pick a patterned scarf that incorporates the colour you're wearing, the possibilites are endless.

A selection of scarves from our collection at Victory Vintage

Last but not least, Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant has famously said that vintage outfits always need a good base, and the Mad Men girls are never without the perfect undergarments. Hosiery is everywhere right now with designers like Henry Holland bringing suspender and seamed tights into the mainstream by collaborating with Pretty Polly. A true Mad Men look needs a good pair of tights, and where better to start than with our vintage collection?  Treat yourself to a vintage look suspender belt to team with these Flair stockings. The perfect starting point for your outfit.

Never-been-worn Flair stockings in original packaging, £6.50, Victory Vintage

Tweet us your Mad Men style ensembles @victoryvintage and let us know what tips you've tried. For more exciting 1950s and 60s stock you can visit us instore Monday-Saturday 11-8 and Sunday 12-6, come and say hi!

Love the VV girls XXX